Holly Winebarger is the co-organizer and Executive Director of the annual ClexaCon multi-fandom event for LGBTQ women and allies. Her primary role is heading up programming and outreach. There are over 100 panels, workshops, and parties scheduled for this year’s weekend event. Before making ClexaCon her full-time job, she was the marketing director for Glow, Inc., a glow in the dark paint company based in Severn, MD.
ClexaCon takes place in Las Vegas, but she calls Colonial Beach, VA her home. A home she has completely renovated due to her handy woman skills.
Needless to say, she is excited about this year’s event. The event has become so popular that there will be another ClexaCon in London.
“The absolute best part of this has been meeting people from all over the world, hearing their stories, learning about their backgrounds and where they come from,” she explains.
We had a few questions for Winebarger.
Describe yourself in a six-word sentence.
Compassionate and thoughtful queer country gal.
What was the last thing you shared on social media?
Last thing I shared was the ClexaCon spotlight for the Bisexual Representation the Media panel that is taking place at ClexaCon this weekend (April 6 – 8). Even though I do not identify as such, it is important to show visibility to and for the bisexual community.
What do you think is the main challenge facing LGBTQ people in your community?
I am from a small town. I think the biggest challenge about where I live is people in our community not feeling visible or that there even is a community here. It is slowly changing for the better though.
What is your favorite LGBTQ business where you live?
Babes of Carytown in Richmond, VA. It’s one of the last-standing original queer bars in the area.
You are one of the organizers of ClexaCon. What advice would you give to people looking to start queer events?
If you can think it, you can do it. If you have an idea and genuinely want to do better for the community with that idea, it will happen. Don’t give up.
